Michael Hobbs

President & Chief Operating Officer, Independent

Search every verified Michael Hobbs interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Michael Hobbs, President and Chief Operating Officer at Independent, has been active across multiple sectors, including financial technology, environmental advocacy, and industry leadership. In a 2022 interview, Hobbs advised against contributing to a 401(k) beyond the employer match, arguing that future tax increases could make such accounts disadvantageous. He stated that "401ks made sense when tax rates were coming down" but that "taxes are going to have to go up," and recommended instead putting additional savings into cash value life insurance for tax-free income in retirement. He described 401(k)s and IRAs as "going to be like chains around people's necks." Hobbs has also spoken about his experience as a former chairman of the AIM/R board, where he served 12 years, calling it "a rewarding experience" and an opportunity to "give back and to hopefully drive the industry forward." In a 2018 presentation, he introduced his venture Flow Fintech, which aimed to reduce payment processing costs for retailers by linking payments to loyalty schemes, with a goal of building a virtual bank. Earlier, in a 2013 TEDx talk, Hobbs discussed his transition from environmental protester to stakeholder, advocating for engagement across sectors to address sustainability challenges. He said, "I'm not saying of course that we should stop protesting, but I am saying that at the same time and maybe more of a measure, we need to be engaging as well."